Fixed spray application system

ABSTRACT

A fixed spray application system generally includes tubing, one or more spray heads, one or more brackets, one or more connectors and one or more fluid reservoirs. One or more of the spray heads may be suspended from a tube below one of the connectors and below one of the reservoirs. A tube may extend from below one of the reservoirs to another spray head supported by one of the brackets. In use, the system may be suspended from trellis wires in an agricultural field. Water, pesticides or other liquids are supplied to the system through the tubing. The size of the reservoirs and the volume of tubing can be selected to hold the desired amount of liquid for a given application. After the system is primed with liquid, the tubing is connected to a source of pressurized air. The air is supplied to the system at a sufficient pressure so as to force the liquid from the system through the spray heads.

The present invention relates to a system for applying liquids to aselected area, and in particular, to a fixed spray application systemfor such purposes.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various systems are known for applying liquids to a selected area. Forexample, various systems are used to apply water, pesticides and otherliquids to crops, orchards and fields.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for applyingliquids over a selected area includes a first tube for transportingliquid through the system, at least one connector secured to the firsttube, a liquid reservoir having a first end connected to the connectorand a second end, a check valve having an inlet side connected to thesecond end of the liquid reservoir and an outlet side, a second tubeextending from the outlet side of the check valve to a first spray headand a third tube extending from the second tube at a location betweenthe outlet side of the check valve and the first spray head to a secondspray head.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the fluid reservoir extendsdownwardly from the connector. The second tube may support the firstspray head below the reservoir.

In other embodiments, the first spray head is positioned below the firsttube and the second spray head is positioned above the first tube.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a bracket forsupporting the first tube and the second spray head. The bracket mayinclude a first channel and the third tube can extend at least partiallythrough the first channel. In other embodiments, the bracket may includea second channel and the system may further include a third spray headand a fourth tube extending through the second channel and connected tothe third spray head. The bracket can include a slot for suspending thebracket from a wire. In some embodiments, the second spray head islocated adjacent the bracket. In other embodiments, the system furtherincludes at least one extension member for supporting the second sprayhead at a location spaced from the bracket.

In some embodiments of the invention, the connector includes at leastone member for suspending the system from a wire. In other embodiments,the connector further includes a channel and the third tube extends atleast partially into the channel and connects to the second spray head.In some embodiments, the connector supports the second spray head. Thespray head may be located adjacent the connector. In other embodiments,the system further includes at least one extension member for supportingthe second spray head at a location spaced from the connector.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for applyingliquids over a selected area includes a source of liquid, a first tubefor transporting liquid from the source through the system, at least oneconnector secured to the first tube, the connector having a first openend for receiving liquid from the source, a second open end aligned withthe first open end and an outlet disposed at an angle relative to thefirst and second open ends, a liquid reservoir having a first endconnected to the outlet and a second end and a first spray head in fluidcommunication with the second end of the liquid reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a check valve locatedbetween the liquid reservoir and the spray head. The system may alsoinclude a second spray head located above the first spray head. In otherembodiments, the system further includes a channel in the connector anda second tube extending from a location between the second end of theliquid reservoir and the first spray head through the channel to thesecond spray head. The system may also include a bracket supporting thefirst tube and the second spray head. The bracket may include a slot forsupporting the bracket from a wire.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of applying liquidsover a selected area includes providing a source of liquid, a first tubefor transporting liquid from the source through the system, a connectorsecured to the first tube, a liquid reservoir having a first endconnected to the connector and a second end, a check valve having aninlet side connected to the second end of the liquid reservoir and anoutlet side and a first spray head in fluid communication with the fluidreservoir. The check valve is operable to permit the passage of liquidfrom the inlet side to the outlet side upon pressurization of the liquidabove a threshold pressurization level. The method further includesintroducing an amount of liquid to be applied to the selected area fromthe source, through the first tube and to the liquid reservoir andproviding pressurized air through the first tube to pressurize theliquid in the liquid reservoir above the threshold pressurization levelof the check valve, thereby transporting liquid from the liquidreservoir, through the check valve and through the first spray head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed spray application system according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components in area 2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a connector that is a component of thesystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the connector shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is first side view of a support bracket and spray head that arecomponents of the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another view of the components illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a first side view of an alternative embodiment of a supportbracket and spray head that are components of the system according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a first side view of an alternative embodiment of a supportbracket that is a component of the system according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 9 is another view of the support bracket of FIG. 8 with a spay headinstalled thereon.

FIG. 10 is an end view of an alternative embodiment of a connector thatis a component of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the connector shown in FIG. 10 with a sprayhead installed thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a fixed spray application system 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. System 10 generally includestubing, such as polyethylene tubing, 20, a first plurality of sprayheads 30 and a second plurality of spray heads 40. In FIG. 1 system 10is shown used in connection with a standard trellis system 50 thatgenerally includes supports 52, having a plurality of trellis wires 54,the upper most of which are not visible in FIG. 1. Trellis wires 54extend between supports 52 and provide a trellis system for trees 60 inthe manner conventional in the art.

FIG. 2 shows the components in area 2 of FIG. 1 in greater detail. Asshown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a plurality of generally T-shaped connectors70 are spaced along tubing 20 and are associated with the firstplurality of spray heads 30. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each T-shapedconnector 70 includes a first end 71, a second end 72, and an outlet 73.One or more barbed compression rings or other fasteners 74 may be formedon the interior of connector 70 to engage tubing 20 and secure it inplace. Connector 70 may further include internally molded or otherwiseformed stop members 75 to limit the distance into connectors 70 thattubing 20 can extend. In particular, it is desirable that the ends oftubing 20 not extend so far into ends 71 and 72 so as to obstruct outlet73. A plurality of suspension or connection members 76 are formedintegrally with connectors 70. In the embodiment shown, members 76 aresubstantially in the form of a hook and are used to suspend connectors70 from trellis wires 54.

Outlet 73 in the embodiment shown is internally threaded for connectinga reservoir 80 outlet 73. Other connection means may also be utilized.Reservoir 80 extends from outlet 73 and terminates in an open end 81.End 81 may be threaded or provided with other connection means forsecuring a cap 90 thereto. Cap 90 has a connector or connecting portion91 extending therefrom that is designed to secure a leak preventiondevice 100 to cap 90. Leak prevention device 100 is of a conventionaltype known in the art and typically includes a check valve that preventsliquid from flowing through leak prevention device 100 until sufficientpressure is supplied to open the check valve. A second generallyT-shaped connector 110 is secured at first end 111 to tubing 101extending from leak prevention device 100 and connected at a second end112 to tubing 120. Tubing 120 is connected at a lower end 121 to sprayheads 30. In the embodiment shown a weight 130 is positioned around orotherwise connected to tubing 120 near end 121 to prevent undesiredblowing or movement of spray heads 30. A tube 140 extends from a thirdend 113 of connector 110 and extends upwardly toward spray heads 40 forsupplying fluid thereto, as described in greater detail below.

As show in FIGS. 5 and 6, brackets 150 include a body portion 151, afirst generally J-shaped portion at 152 and a depression or slot 153 forsuspending brackets 150 from trellis wires 54. Portion 152 supportstubing 20. A connector 160 is attached to first end of tubing 161 thatextends through body portion 151 of bracket 150. Connector 160 engagestube 140. A second connector 162 is secured to the opposite end of tube161 and is secured to tube 170 at first end 171. A connector 180 issecured to the inlet 41 of spray heads 40 and engages second and 172 oftube 170. In the embodiment shown, connector 180 is located below aplate 190 that is a portion of a riser mechanism for spray heads 40. Inparticular, plate 190 includes downwardly extending bosses or connectors191 that receive rigid extension posts 200 at a first end 201 thereof.The opposite ends 202 of post 200 extend into recesses 154 of brackets150. Different length posts 200 can be used to adjust the height ofspray heads 40. Alternatively, posts 200 can be eliminated and sprayheads 40 can be connected directly to tube 161 adjacent the top ofbracket 150 by a connecting post 210.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of bracket 150. In thisembodiment, spray heads 40 are connected to the riser mechanism asdescribed above. A second tubing flow path 220 is formed in bracket 150and terminates in connector 221 adjacent the top of bracket 150. Withthis embodiment, spray heads 40 may simply be disconnected from theriser mechanism and connected to connector 221 to lower its positionwithout removing the riser mechanism.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the bracket and sprayhead components of FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, extension posts200 have been eliminated and downwardly extending bosses or connectors191 of plate 190 extend into recesses 154 of brackets 150. Tube 140extends through a channel 151A in body portion 151 and connects toconnector 180 secured to the inlet 41 of spray head 40.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of connectors 70.In this embodiment, connector 70 includes a section 300 having a channel301 extending therethrough. In a manner similar to brackets 150, section300 includes recesses 354 for receiving downwardly extending bosses orconnectors 191 of plates 190. Tube 140 extends through channel 301 insection 300 and connects to connector 180 secured to the inlet 41 ofspray head 40.

In use, system 10 is assembled as described above and suspended fromtrellis wires 54. In one embodiment of the invention, spray heads 30 arepositioned approximately 6 feet apart and extend into the tree canopy orother items to be sprayed. Spray head 40 are also placed approximately 6feet apart and spaced equally between connectors 70. Water, pesticidesor other liquids can be supplied to the system through tubing 20 in aconventional manner, such as by pumping. The liquid is supplied at apressure below that which will open the check valve in leak preventiondevice 100 until the tubing 20 and reservoirs 80 are filled with thedesired amount of liquid. The size of reservoirs 80 and the volume oftubing 20 in the system can be selected so as to hold the desired amountof liquid for a given application. The pumping or other supply system isthen disconnected and tubing 20 is connected to a source of pressurizedair, such as a compressor. Pressurized air is applied to the system at asufficient pressure so as to cause the check valve in leak preventiondevice 100 to open, thereby forcing the liquid throughout the systemincluding in tubing 20 and reservoirs 80 through tubing 120 and 140, andultimately out spray heads 30 and 40. Pressure should be applied for aperiod of time sufficient to evacuate the desired amount of liquid, suchas all liquid, from the system.

Note that by priming the system with liquid but dispensing the liquidwith air, a much smaller amount of liquid can be utilized perapplication. For example, if it is desirable to apply 100 gallons ofliquid to the trees or crops, approximately 100 gallons is pumped intothe system and then blown out with compressed air. Alternatively, toensure full delivery of the desired amount of liquid, the system can beprimed with a slight excess amount of liquid, such as 130 gallons. Theexcess is then blown through and outlet port or valve in the system at apressure below that required to open the check valve. After the excessliquid is removed, the air pressure is increased sufficiently to openthe check valve and the liquid is delivered through the spray heads asdescribed above. In either event, to apply the same 100 gallons ofliquid by continually pumping liquid through the system would requirepumping approximately 400 gallons of liquid into the system. Thecompressed air can also be forced through the system more quickly thanliquid thereby decreasing application times.

Although the system has been shown and described in detail, the same isto be taken by way of example only and not by way of limitation.Numerous changes can be made to the components described above, thematerials from which they are manufactured and their placement in thesystem while achieving the same effects. For example, any combination ofthe various embodiments of connectors 70 and brackets 150 may be used toachieve the desired placement of spray heads 30 and 40.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for applying liquids over a selectedarea including: a first tube for transporting liquid through the system;at least one connector secured to the first tube; a liquid reservoirhaving a first end connected to the connector and a second end; a checkvalve having an inlet side connected to the second end of the liquidreservoir and an outlet side; a second tube extending from the outletside of the check valve to a first spray head; a third tube extendingfrom the second tube at a location between the outlet side of the checkvalve and the first spray head to a second spray head; and a bracketsupporting the first tube and the second spray head.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the bracket includes a first channel and the third tubeextends at least partially through the first channel.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, further including a second channel in the bracket, a thirdspray head and a fourth tube extending through the second channel andconnected to the third spray head.
 4. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding a slot in the bracket for suspending the bracket from a wire.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second spray head is locatedadjacent the bracket.
 6. The system of claim 1, further including atleast one extension member for supporting the second spray head at alocation spaced from the bracket.
 7. A system for applying liquids overa selected area including: a source of liquid; a first tube fortransporting liquid from the source through the system; at least oneconnector secured to the first tube, the connector having a first openend for receiving liquid from the source, a second open end aligned withthe first open end and an outlet disposed at an angle relative to thefirst and second open ends; a liquid reservoir having a first endconnected to the outlet and a second end; a first spray head in fluidcommunication with the second end of the liquid reservoir; a secondspray head located above the first spray head; a channel in theconnector; and a second tube extending from a location between thesecond end of the liquid reservoir and the first spray head through thechannel to the second spray head.
 8. The system of claim 7, furtherincluding a check valve located between the liquid reservoir and thespray head.
 9. The system of claim 7, further including a bracketsupporting the first tube and the second spray head.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the bracket includes a slot for supporting the bracketfrom a wire.
 11. A system for applying liquids over a selected areaincluding: a first tube for transporting liquid through the system; atleast one connector secured to the first tube; a liquid reservoirextending downwardly from the connector and having a first end connectedto the connector and a second end; a check valve having an inlet sideconnected to the second end of the liquid reservoir and an outlet side;a second tube extending from the outlet side of the check valve to afirst spray head; and a third tube extending from the second tube at alocation between the outlet side of the check valve and the first sprayhead to a second spray head.
 12. A system for applying liquids over aselected area including: a first tube for transporting liquid throughthe system; at least one connector secured to the first tube; a liquidreservoir having a first end connected to the connector and a secondend; a check valve having an inlet side connected to the second end ofthe liquid reservoir and an outlet side; a second tube extending fromthe outlet side of the check valve to a first spray head and supportingthe first spray head below the reservoir; and a third tube extendingfrom the second tube at a location between the outlet side of the checkvalve and the first spray head to a second spray head.
 13. A system forapplying liquids over a selected area including: a first tube fortransporting liquid through the system; at least one connector securedto the first tube; a liquid reservoir having a first end connected tothe connector and a second end; a check valve having an inlet sideconnected to the second end of the liquid reservoir and an outlet side;a second tube extending from the outlet side of the check valve to afirst spray head positioned below the first tube; and a third tubeextending from the second tube at a location between the outlet side ofthe check valve and the first spray head to a second spray headpositioned above the first tube.
 14. A system for applying liquids overa selected area including: a first tube for transporting liquid throughthe system; at least one connector secured to the first tube, theconnector including at least one member for suspending the system from awire; a liquid reservoir having a first end connected to the connectorand a second end; a check valve having an inlet side connected to thesecond end of the liquid reservoir and an outlet side; a second tubeextending from the outlet side of the check valve to a first spray head;and a third tube extending from the second tube at a location betweenthe outlet side of the check valve and the first spray head to a secondspray head.
 15. A system for applying liquids over a selected areaincluding: a first tube for transporting liquid through the system; atleast one connector including a channel secured to the first tube; aliquid reservoir having a first end connected to the connector and asecond end; a check valve having an inlet side connected to the secondend of the liquid reservoir and an outlet side; a second tube extendingfrom the outlet side of the check valve to a first spray head; and athird tube extending from the second tube at a location between theoutlet side of the check valve and the first spray head, the third tubeextending at least partially into the channel and connecting to a secondspray head.
 16. A system for applying liquids over a selected areaincluding: a first tube for transporting liquid through the system; atleast one connector secured to the first tube; a liquid reservoir havinga first end connected to the connector and a second end; a check valvehaving an inlet side connected to the second end of the liquid reservoirand an outlet side; a second tube extending from the outlet side of thecheck valve to a first spray head; a third tube extending from thesecond tube at a location between the outlet side of the check valve andthe first spray head to a second spray head; and wherein the connectorsupports the second spray head, the system further including at leastone extension member for supporting the second spray head at a locationspaced from the connector.